Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2.0 eBook Crochet Pattern

Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2.0 eBook

What Is Being Made

The Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2.0 is a downloadable PDF eBook featuring a Poncho design by Marji LaFreniere. This garment is available in three finished sizes: 2 years, 4 years, and 6 years. The poncho is constructed using a top-down method, beginning at the neckband and expanding outward through strategic increases at the shoulders and center front and back.

Techniques Used

The poncho employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its construction and fit:

• Top-down construction: The garment begins at the neck and is worked downward, allowing for easy customization of length and fit
• Circular knitting: The poncho is worked in the round using circular needles, creating seamless fabric
• Strategic increases: Increases are placed at the shoulders and center front and back to create the poncho's expanding silhouette. Shoulder increases can be ended early or extended to customize the fit for different sizes
• Color work: The design incorporates a multi-color approach using ten distinct colors from the Koigu Pencil Box, with colors alternating in rows and colors 9 and 10 reserved for trim
• Neckband construction: A neck facing and band are created separately, with options for either a provisional cast-on method (to knit together later) or a backwards loop method (to sew down later)

Stitches Used

The poncho utilizes fundamental knitting stitches suitable for colorwork and garment construction:

• Knit stitch: Forms the primary fabric of the garment
• Kf&b (knit front and back): An increase stitch used at designated points to create the poncho's shaping
• Stitch markers: Essential for tracking pattern repeats and marking the beginning of round (BOR) and increase points throughout construction

Materials and Gauge

The poncho is designed to be made with Koigu KPPPM yarn, a premium 100% Merino wool. Most projects require one Pencil Box plus one or two additional regular skeins of Koigu KPPPM. The Pencil Box contains ten 25-gram demi skeins, each yielding 87 yards (80 meters), for a total of 870 yards per box. Larger sizes (particularly size 6) may require an additional partial skein from your stash.

The pattern calls for 3mm (US 3) and 3.5mm (US 4) circular needles in two lengths: 16 inches for the neckband and 24 or 32 inches for the body. Four stitch markers are required, with one in a unique color to denote the beginning of round. The recommended gauge is approximately 26 stitches by 38 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Design Flexibility

The Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2.0 emphasizes customization. If you run out of a color before completing the prescribed number of rows, the pattern allows you to start the next color sooner and add additional rows at the end. The shoulder increase rows can be easily modified to extend or shorten the shoulder width, enabling you to fine-tune the fit beyond the three provided sizes. This flexibility makes the poncho adaptable to individual preferences and yarn availability.